Lewis Battle Bateman

Lewis Battle Bateman went to be with the Lord on April 11, 2015. He was a dedicated servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was the son of Samuel Lewis Bateman and Leona Browning Bateman. He is predeceased by his parents, a brother Richard M. Bateman, a sister Elizabeth B. Weddle, his wife Barbara J. Bateman as well as a daughter Tracey Goddard and a grandson Nicholas Goddard. Lewis is survived by his daughter Michelle B. East (William N.) of Chesapeake, Virginia and his son, Kevin T. Bateman (Bridget K.) of Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to his children, he is survived by a brother, Joseph “Sammy” Bateman, sisters Patricia B. Panello and Pamela B. Stalls and six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Lew was a decorated veteran of the US Army and actively served in the Korean Conflict. After the army he helped build the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel as well as working for the Army Corps of Engineers charting wrecks off the Virginia Coast. In 1969 Lew opened Lew’s Hot Dogs on Indian River Road. Shortly afterwards, he moved the business to Azalea Garden Road where he spent the last 40 years serving the “Best Hormel Hot Dogs with his world famous homemade chili”. Over the years Lew’s became a social gathering spot where friends and family would go to eat good food and visit with one another. It resembled “Floyd’s Barber Shop” right out of Mayberry RFD. Lew made everybody feel welcome. He was a true man of God and had a real passion for serving the Lord. He served as Deacon for several years then was elected as Elder at Kempsville Christian Church where he served faithfully until the Lord called him home. Lew was an active member of the Chesapeake and Norfolk “Citizens Police Academy”. He felt a special bond with police officers and the service they provided.

The family will receive friends and family at Woodlawn Funeral Home at 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk on Wednesday April 15, 2015 from 5pm to 8pm. The funeral service will be held at Kempsville Christian Church at 5424 Parliament Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, 23452 on Thursday April 16, 2015 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Building Fund at Kempsville Christian Church. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.woodlawngroup.com